Prison food is better than hospital food

Researchers at Bournemouth University have said that prisoners are given food of a higher standard than the meals given to patients in health service hospitals.

The team looked at meals given to people in prison and in hospital. They said hospital patients were not given assistance with eating and the types of meal they chose.

Professor John Edwards said around 40% of people who went into hospital were "already malnourished" and this did not get better while they remained in hospital.

"If you are in prison then the diet you get is extremely good in terms of nutritional content," he said.

"The food that is provided is actually better than most civilians have."

He explained that prison food was cooked well, without much frying or added salt. He added that hospital patients were often not consuming enough food.

His co-researcher Dr Heather Hartwell said although fruit and vegetables were included in hospital meals, it did not mean that patients ate them.

She added that people who had problems eating or drinking did not necessarily receive assistance.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Good quality food for patients improves their health and their overall experience of services. Clinicians have a duty to ensure patients get the appropriate treatment for any condition, including malnutrition."